Senators are elected for [[Length of terms of state senators|four-year terms]] with no [[State legislatures with term limits|term limits]]. Half of the senate is up for election every two years. Each member represents an average of [[Population represented by state legislators| 172,333 residents]], as of the 2010 Census.<ref>[http://2010.census.gov/news/pdf/apport2010_table4.pdf Population in 2010 of the American states]</ref> After the 2000 Census, each member represented [[Population represented by state legislators| 162,536 residents]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t2/tables/tab01.pdf Population in 2000 of the American states]</ref> In the 2009-2010 session, senators made $49,943. <ref>[http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/bb/09bb/pdf/253-320.pdf, Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-10, "Wisconsin Legislators"]</ref> That was up from $47,413 in the 2007-08 session. <ref>[http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/bb/07bb/pdf/259-324.pdf, Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-08, "Wisconsin Legislators"]</ref>

Senators are elected for [[Length of terms of state senators|four-year terms]] with no [[State legislatures with term limits|term limits]]. Half of the senate is up for election every two years. Each member represents an average of [[Population represented by state legislators| 172,333 residents]], as of the 2010 Census.<ref>[http://2010.census.gov/news/pdf/apport2010_table4.pdf Population in 2010 of the American states]</ref> After the 2000 Census, each member represented [[Population represented by state legislators| 162,536 residents]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t2/tables/tab01.pdf Population in 2000 of the American states]</ref> In the 2009-2010 session, senators made $49,943. <ref>[http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/bb/09bb/pdf/253-320.pdf, Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-10, "Wisconsin Legislators"]</ref> That was up from $47,413 in the 2007-08 session. <ref>[http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/bb/07bb/pdf/259-324.pdf, Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-08, "Wisconsin Legislators"]</ref>

−

As of December 2012, [[Wisconsin]] is one of 24 Republican [[state government trifectas]].

+

{{State trifecta status|state=Wisconsin|control=Republican}}

==Sessions==

==Sessions==

[[Article IV, Wisconsin Constitution | Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution]] contains provisions related to the meeting of the [[Wisconsin State Legislature]], of which the Senate is a part. Section 11 of Article IV states that the times for regular sessions are to be provided by law. Section 11 also states that the [[Governor of Wisconsin]] has the power to call the Legislature into special session.

[[Article IV, Wisconsin Constitution | Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution]] contains provisions related to the meeting of the [[Wisconsin State Legislature]], of which the Senate is a part. Section 11 of Article IV states that the times for regular sessions are to be provided by law. Section 11 also states that the [[Governor of Wisconsin]] has the power to call the Legislature into special session.

+

+

===2013===

+

::''See also: [[Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions]]''

+

In 2013, the Legislature will be in session from January 7 through a date to be determined.

+

+

==== Major issues====

+

Following the extreme polarization of the last two years, Gov. [[Scott Walker]] (R) said he would push for a more moderate agenda in 2013. Alongside the creation of a new budget, main issues will include job creation, workforce development, tax cuts, education reform and transportation infrastructure.<ref> [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/with-state-bitterly-divided-walker-promises-more-moderate-agenda/article_d04276a2-56bc-11e2-a871-0019bb2963f4.html ''Wisconsin State Journal,'' "With state bitterly divided, Walker promises more moderate agenda," January 7, 2013] </ref>

===2012===

===2012===

Line 62:

Line 69:

:*3 enacted laws were vetoed in full.

:*3 enacted laws were vetoed in full.

*459 bills failed (26 because they failed concurrence)<ref>[http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2009/data/LegStatRep.pdf Session statistics of the 2009-2010 session of the Wisconsin State Senate]</ref>

*459 bills failed (26 because they failed concurrence)<ref>[http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2009/data/LegStatRep.pdf Session statistics of the 2009-2010 session of the Wisconsin State Senate]</ref>

+

+

==Ethics and transparency==

+

===Open States Transparency===

+

{{Transparency card|State=Wisconsin|Grade=D}}

==Elections==

==Elections==

Line 72:

Line 83:

The [[Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections | signature filing deadline]] is July 10, 2012.

The [[Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections | signature filing deadline]] is July 10, 2012.

+

+

The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.

Nine of the 16 senators up for election faced [[Recall of Wisconsin State Senators (2011)|recall elections]].

Nine of the 16 senators up for election faced [[Recall of Wisconsin State Senators (2011)|recall elections]].

Line 182:

Line 226:

</div>

</div>

===Salaries===

===Salaries===

−

:: ''See also: [[Comparison of state legislative salaries]]''

:: ''See also: [[Comparison of state legislative salaries]]''

−

As of 2010, members of the Wisconsin Senate are paid $49,943/year. Legislators receive a maximum of $88/day per diem, set by the compensation commission. Based on the maximum, the leadership of each house determines what amount to authorize for each session.<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=20117 ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "2010 Legislator Compensation Data"]</ref>

+

As of 2013, members of the Wisconsin Legislature are paid $49,943/year. Legislators receive a maximum of $88/day per diem, set by the compensation commission. Based on the maximum, the leadership of each house determines what amount to authorize for each session.<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/legisdata/2012-ncsl-legislator-compensation-data.aspx ''NCSL.org'', "2012 State Legislator Compensation and Per Diem Table," accessed March 18, 2013]</ref>

−

+

−

The $49,943/year that Wisconsin senators are paid as of 2010 is an increase over the $47,413 were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem is the same.<ref>[http://www.empirecenter.org/html/legislative_salaries.cfm ''Empire Center'', "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"]</ref>

+

===When sworn in===

===When sworn in===

Line 202:

Line 243:

====Historical====

====Historical====

{{Wisenatepartisanhistory}}

{{Wisenatepartisanhistory}}

+

+

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1992-2013.<br>

From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Wisconsin State Senate for 11 years while the Republicans were the majority for 11 years. The final three years of the study depicted a shift in the Wisconsin senate with all three years being Republican [[trifectas]]

*[[Transportation and Elections Committee, Wisconsin State Senate|Transportation and Elections]]<br>

+

−

*[[Workforce Development, Small Business, and Tourism Committee, Wisconsin State Senate|Workforce Development, Small Business, and Tourism]]

+

−

===Decommissioned committees===

+

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states have divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

−

*[[Children and Families and Workforce Development Committee, Wisconsin Senate]]

+

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the [[Governor of Wisconsin|Office of the Governor of Wisconsin]], the [[Wisconsin State Senate]] and the [[Wisconsin House of Representatives]] from 1992-2013.

Senators are elected for four-year terms with no term limits. Half of the senate is up for election every two years. Each member represents an average of 172,333 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 162,536 residents.[2] In the 2009-2010 session, senators made $49,943. [3] That was up from $47,413 in the 2007-08 session. [4]

2013

In 2013, the Legislature will be in session from January 7 through a date to be determined.

Major issues

Following the extreme polarization of the last two years, Gov. Scott Walker (R) said he would push for a more moderate agenda in 2013. Alongside the creation of a new budget, main issues will include job creation, workforce development, tax cuts, education reform and transportation infrastructure.[5]

2012

In 2012, the Senate was in session from January 10 through March 16 with a return for limited business on April 24.

Major issues

With potential recalls of GovernorScott Walker (R), Lieutenant GovernorRebecca Kleefisch (R) and four Republican state senators, debate on major legislation was expected to be limited.[6] Going into the session, Republican leaders said they were focused on passing bills on only four main issues - clearing the way for on ore mine in northern Wisconsin, easing laws regarding development on wetlands, environmental regulation, and creating a venture capital fund to help start-up businesses.[7]

The six recalls dominated the session. Ultimately on June 5, recalls against the Governor, Lt. Governor, and three of the state senators were unsuccessful. The fourth recall, that against Van Wanggaard, went to a recount. Wanggaard was defeated, giving Democrats control of the Senate.

On July 24, 2012, one week after Democrats gained the majority in the state Senate, Tim Cullen (D) quit the Democratic caucus after newly named Majority Leader Mark Miller did not give him chairmanship on a committee with clout. Cullen, who had been offered chair of the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism called it "an insult to my district" and said he might leave the party altogether to become an independent.[8]

Cullen said the move was "intended to send me a message that I am not welcome and that he can treat me however he wants to and that somehow I am supposed to take it." Cullen's decision did not alter the partisan makeup of the chamber.[9]

Three days later Cullen rejoined the caucus, receiving the chairmanship of two new committees and a leadership position on two others. Miller said he could have handled the situation better but welcomed Cullen back to the caucus.[10]

2011

In 2011, the Senate adjourned a special session at the request of Governor Scott Walker on January 4, 2011. The special session was called to consider legislation regarding tax credits, tort law, medical savings accounts, other legislation relating to taxation, and the budget repair bill. The legislature's special session will be ongoing. [11] The regular session began on January 11. An extraordinary session was called by the Legislature from June 13-30, with another extraordinary session scheduled for July 19-29. The next scheduled floor period is September 13, 2011. Though the January special session is ongoing, special session bills may be taken up in the interim. [12]

Qualifications

Section 6 of Article 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not have resided one year within the state, and be a qualified elector in the district which he may be chosen to represent."

Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the Senate, the Governor must call for a special election when allowed by law[18]. Special elections to fill legislative vacancies cannot be held after February 1st preceding a spring election or September 1st preceding a fall election[19]. If the vacancy happens before May 15th, the Governor must fill the vacancy as soon as possible[20].

Redistricting

Redistricting in Wisconsin is under the control of the state legislature. If the state legislature fails to reach an agreement, the maps are drawn by either state or federal courts. The State Senate and State Assembly draft maps for the new state legislative districts and the U.S. Congressional districts. Both chambers must pass the new map, and the governor can sign or veto the map for any reason.[21]

2010

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Wisconsin's population increased from 5.36 million to 5.69 million between 2000 and 2010.[22] This population growth was large enough to allow the state to retain its eight Congressional seats.[23]

Republicans held the majority in the State Senate, State Assembly, and the governorship after the 2010 elections. As a result, the redistricting process was completely under the control of one party.

The Republican leadership dismissed the Democratic-hired firm that was going to aid with redistricting and instead brought in an outside group to aid the process. This new firm's leader had donated to Republican candidates in the past.[24] The redistricting process was accelerated by the summer 2011 recall elections, and Governor Scott Walker signed a bill that gave the legislature the power to redistrict state boundaries before the localities finished their redistricting processes.[25] The state Republicans unveiled their plan on July 8, 2011. Democrats criticized the plan as gerrymandering, but Republicans defended their map.[26] The maps passed the legislature on July 19, 2011, and signed into law by Governor Walker on August 9, 2011.[27]

Several lawsuits were filed as a result of the new maps.[28] The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board identified errors in the maps, likely due to the creation of the state boundaries before the localities finished drawing their boundaries. A court also determined that two Milwaukee-area districts needed to be redrawn to better represent minority-area populations.[29]

Senators

Tour of Wisconsin State Capitol

Salaries

As of 2013, members of the Wisconsin Legislature are paid $49,943/year. Legislators receive a maximum of $88/day per diem, set by the compensation commission. Based on the maximum, the leadership of each house determines what amount to authorize for each session.[30]

**In the 1993, 1995, and 1997 Legislatures, majority control of the senate shifted during the session. On 4/20/93, vacancies were filled resulting in a total of 16 Democrats and 17 Republicans; on 6/16/96, there were 17 Democrats and 16 Republicans; and on 4/19/98, there were 16 Democrats and 17 Republicans.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1992-2013.

Leadership

The Senate, by roll call vote, elects a member to serve as President of the Senate and one to serve as President pro tempore. They serve for the duration of the biennial session.[32][33]

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Wisconsin State Senate for 11 years while the Republicans were the majority for 11 years. The final three years of the study depicted a shift in the Wisconsin senate with all three years being Republican trifectas

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states have divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.